Tag: Buffalo Bills

Defensive Coordinator Options for the Buffalo Bills

Former Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier
Photo Credit: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

Earlier today the Buffalo Bills announced that defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier plans to take next season off from coaching. It’s weird timing as we’re already at the end of February, the NFL Draft combine is starting, and most of the top coordinators have signed elsewhere. However, there are still some great options for the Buffalo Bills, if they decide to bring someone else in.

Bills Defensive Coordinator: Top Candidate

Al Holcomb – Bills Senior Defensive Assistant

Al Holcomb is the early media frontrunner for the position. He brings history with McDermott as he was the linebackers coach in Carolina when they went to Super Bowl 50.

Buffalo recently hired Holcomb as their senior defensive assistant to bring a different point of view, and his connection with McDermott could help him become the person to fill this role. Holcomb has championship experience and fits McDermott’s system, making him the top option for many.

Other Options for Bills Defensive Coordinator

Jim Leonhard – Former NFL Player and Coach at Wisconsin

Jim Leonhard is a former Bill who ended up on the roster after going undrafted. After his playing career, he joined the staff at the University of Wisconsin. He worked his way to defensive coordinator of Wisconsin a year later, and was the interim head coach this past season.

He went 5-3 as a head coach, but announced he was leaving Wisconsin at the end of the season. It’s possible he could return to coaching for the right opportunity. Buffalo could try to bring him ‘home’.

Eric Henderson – Rams Defensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator

With Sean McVay already having a big coaching tree, there’s always speculation for coaches in his organization to leave for a better position. Eric Henderson is no different. He’s had the chance to call plays for the Rams in the preseason, and has had high praise from McVay.

Henderson was described as “aggressive” by the Rams head coach, and that’s a trait many teams want in their coordinator. His experience working with a talented group of players and coaches could draw some attention from the Bills.

Aden Durde – Former Player and Cowboys Defensive Line Coach

Another former player, Aden Durde would come from one of the top defenses in the NFL. He helped lead a defensive line in Dallas that was tied for 3rd in sacks and tied for 2nd in adjusted sack rate. The Bills could look to bring him in to help the pass rush that dropped from 4th to 29th without Von Miller.

Durde could be exactly what they need to get the young pass rushers going and take pressure off the secondary and linebackers.

No One

I know what you’re thinking, “what do you mean ‘no one’?”. Well, there’s a chance that the Bills decide to keep their staff exactly as it is. Going into the 2023-24 season without a defensive coordinator isn’t the worst option for Buffalo.

With Sean McDermott being a defensive-minded head coach, he could take full control of the defense. If they believe Frazier will return as their coordinator at the end of the season, they could opt to go in this direction.

Damar Hamlin: The Sports World Comes Together

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin
Photo Credit: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

During the Monday night affair between the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills, the NFL was struck with one of its greatest tragedies in recent memory. Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac event while making a seemingly routine tackle, and after getting up, immediately collapsed onto the field.

What ensued was a moment of absolute and utter chaos. CPR and defibrillators were both used on the field, in the eye of everyone in the stadium. An emergency unit filled with strong individuals carried out their duties well, and Hamlin was able to reach the hospital quickly enough to keep him alive.

Often times the labels humans assign to their counterparts are covered in negative connotations. Most humans don’t have faith in others, and would be quick to expect others to disappoint them. While Hamlin’s incident is surely tragic, it’s also served as a great reminder that humans can, indeed, be good sometimes.

Fan and League-Wide Support for Damar Hamlin

Tuesday and Wednesday night, a combination of fans has gotten together at the Bengals’ stadium to hold a candlelight vigil, in honor of Hamlin.

This is just one small example of the outcry of support from across the league. For example, all 32 NFL teams have changed their logos on Twitter to a “Pray for Damar” message. In similar news, at many stadiums around the league, messages of support for Hamlin can be seen.

The following cities and teams made an effort to show support for Hamlin: 49ers, Dolphins, Broncos, Ravens, Patriots, Jaguars, Saints, and the Raiders. Here’s an example, from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota:

Even a local natural wonder like Niagara Falls lit up blue on Tuesday night in support of Hamlin. Even outside of the football world, teams have been paying their respects.

Outside of Football

Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points on Monday. The most points scored by a player in a single NBA game, since Kobe scored 82. Mitchell didn’t get much recognition for that — which is unfortunate yet understandable. When he did talk to the media; however, the first thing he shared was his support for Hamlin.

The Buffalo Sabres came into their game on Tuesday wearing shirts that read; “Love for 3”. Rookie sensation Tage Thompson would then score three goals, with his third coming in the third minute of overtime. A moral and symbolic victory for the city.

Damar Hamlin’s Charity

In 2020, Hamlin started a charity, the Chasing M’s Foundation, aimed at purchasing toys for children in his hometown in Pennsylvania. This charity wasn’t too well-known, but it had raised a bit of money.

In the first few hours immediately after Hamlin’s injury, as the public learned about his charity, donations came pouring in. After those first several hours, over $4 million was raised.

Editors Note: As of editing this article, Hamlin’s charity has exceeded $7 million, including a donation of over $25k from the Indianapolis Colts and owner Jim Irsay.

Ultimately, many do carry the view that the world is an evil place, and that humans will do evil things to each other. Given the course of human history, you’d be hard-pressed to claim that argument as incorrect. In the wake of this tragedy, we were reminded that humans can be great, too.

People want their flowers when they’re here. One of the greatest achievements one can have is to see how valued, loved, and respected they are by other people. Damar Hamlin is the example of a great man. We can only hope that he pulls through this and gets to see his flowers.

Damar Hamlin Injury: Just Another Day at the Office

Teammates of Damar Hamlin stand by, shocked, outside his ambulance.

Courtesy: Jeff Dean/AP

The events of Monday, January 2, 2022 were unlike any other on the football calendar. It was supposed to be a grand celebration of football on the day after New Year’s. The Rose Bowl was supposed to lead into a crucial Monday Night Football game with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Instead, it saw the greatest tragedy in the sport in 50 years. Early in the game, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a routine tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. This tackle was no different than the one most players make every Sunday. He stood up, then fell right back down, lifeless.

Now, he’s in the hospital fighting for his life.

Not that it matters compared to the life of a human being, but the sport has entered into an existential crisis with Hamlin’s sudden collapse. Several events this past season have raised questions about how safe players really are on the field.

Granted, Hamlin’s injury was a freak accident, the kind of thing that happens every blue moon to any athlete who plays a sport. Reminders of Hank Gathers, the Loyola Marymount basketball star who collapsed and died on the court in similar fashion, would not be lost on the viewer.

Yet, player safety has taken a backseat to the shield’s image perception. What happened to Damar Hamlin, is, in the eyes of the NFL, just another day at the office.

Football is a fundamentally dangerous sport

It is obvious to anyone who considers the matter, but this sport is dangerous, and carries with it the risk of death. An average of 12.2 young men per year die in football-related injuries. Yet, parents still choose to let their children play this remarkably violent game.

It’s something that the viewer inherently understands, and why parents are so hesitant for their children to play it.

When it comes to the NFL, though, the matter is different. We all watch every Sunday, knowing the risks of CTE that each man on that field is waiting on to catch him later in life. Of course, this is not to harangue anyone for watching. I do it, you probably do it, everyone else does it. It isn’t the most popular sport in the country for no reason.

Even with the danger, though, we know we can’t do anything about it, and deep down, there’s a part of us that enjoys the danger. It’s the same allure that the Romans no doubt had when they watched gladiatorial games in the Coliseum. The danger is what gives the game its lifeblood, its je ne sais quoi that elevates it from simple sport to titanic battle between titanic people.

But, death? Death is something football fans rarely consider. Sure, it’s in the back of one’s mind, in the same way that crashing your car and dying is always in the back of your head while driving.

The NFL screwed up

For the NFL, though, thinking like this is a failure on their part. Because they pass the buck to players when they get later on in their lives, the idea of death as a construct never once comes into the NFL’s mind. After all, it’s been the most popular sport for 60+ years now, and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue.

Yet, if the NFL is going to die, last night is an example of how.

While the medical staff did everything correctly, the NFL’s decision-making afterwards did not. They wanted to start the game up again, giving each team just five minutes to warm up.

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor walked over to Bills coach Sean McDermott and agreed to send both their teams back to the locker room. That eventually ended the night, and the game for the time being.

The NFL expected these players – who had just watched their teammate possibly die on the field – to play. Later on, tweets came in saying that there was no discussion at all to put the players back out there, but clock operators and PA announcers all announced the five minute warning.

While one cannot say who exactly made the call, the message was clear: get back out there and put your time in the office, no matter what.

Other incidents this season show the NFL’s disregard towards player safety. Tua Tagovailoa’s saga back in September and October showed how little the NFL cares about player safety.

He suffered a massive concussion against the Bills, but somehow managed to return against the Bengals before being carted off in that game after another hit. In response, the NFL changed their concussion protocol some, but that didn’t stop yet another concussion from flying under their radar.

Damar Hamlin deserved better

Damar Hamlin was just a football player living a dream.

That’s what everyone in the NFL that plays the game is: an individual who is very lucky to do what they do. But, sometimes we forget that these are humans who play a very violent sport. Sometimes, that leads to violent consequences.

Yet, the overseers of the NFL give the players nothing but a lack of safety. Even worse, they don’t have any malice or feeling towards it. It’s just “let’s wipe off the blood and get back out there” forever.

One thing is for sure — football will be played after Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. Whether it’ll be changed for the better is cause for less optimism.

For the NFL, it was just another day at the office.

Dolphins vs Bills: Week 15 Preview

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa and Bills QB Josh Allen
Photo Credit: Cooper Neill and Rob Carr/Getty Images

It’s been 12 weeks since the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills in Miami to take the lead in the AFC East. Now, in Week 15, the Bills are back on top. Two straight losses from the Dolphins have opened the door for the Bills to take a three game lead in the AFC East. Both teams will be battling more than each other this Saturday night. What will affect these two squads and how will it play out? Let’s dive into what to expect in this rivalry game: Dolphins vs Bills, part 2.

Dolphins vs Bills Game Information

  • Date: Saturday, December 17
  • Time: 20:15 ET
  • Venue: Highmark Stadium; Orchard Park, NY
  • TV: NFL Network and NFL+
  • Records: Dolphins (8-5) Bills (10-3)
  • DraftKings Sportsbook line: Bills -7

Key Factors

1. Battling the Winter Weather

In Week 3, the heat in Miami proved to be a factor. Players were dropping like flies. More than a handful of players needed to head to the locker room for IV’s and to cool off. It was a close game in Week 3, and if it wasn’t as warm, maybe the outcome is different.

The snow won’t be as bad as Week 11 in Buffalo, where they had to move the game. However, it will still be a major factor. The forecast predicts up to six inches of snow by gametime, with a chance for more. With a severe weather alert of lake effect snow for Saturday, it could come down heavy.

On top of the snow, the temperature is expected to be a low of 26 degrees, with the wind chill in the low teens. The cold temperature, gusts of wind, and snow falling will make this game tougher for most players and could affect them in a big way.

2. Playing through Injuries

This Week 15 matchup will be a little bit kinder to both teams in regard to injuries than in their Week 3 matchup. For the Dolphins, they will be without safeties Elijah Campbell (concussion) and Eric Rowe (hamstring). Miami also has QB Teddy Bridewater (knee), RB Jeff Wilson (hip), and OL Terron Armstead (toe/pec/knee) listed as questionable. The Buffalo Bills will be without OL Ryan Bates (ankle) and DT Jordan Phillips (shoulder).

Both teams have some key players who are playing through injuries. For Miami, they will have LB Elandon Roberts (ribs), TE Durham Smythe (quad/knee), WR Tyreek Hill (ankle), CB Kader Kohou (thumb/neck), and DT Justin Zimmer (back). For Buffalo, they will have FB Reggie Gilliam (ankle), DT Ed Oliver (pec), LB Matt Milano (knee), QB Josh Allen (elbow), CB Cam Lewis (forearm), and OL Mitch Morse (elbow) playing through the pain.

Those are some big names playing through injuries to try to help their teams get the win in a big game.

Dolphins vs Bills: Keys to Success

Miami Dolphins – Don’t make Tua do too much

In the past two losses for the Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has struggled. He’s averaged 220 passing yards per game, thrown for three touchdowns and turned the ball over three times while having a 45.9% completion percentage. Head coach Mike McDaniels should look to take some pressure off of Tua to get him going again.

His recent struggles aren’t the only reason Miami should look to ease the pressure off Tua. Tagovailoa has struggled in his young career in cold weather. This could be the coldest game Tua has played in his football career. In games below 50 degrees, Tua has thrown two touchdowns while turning it over four times. He has had a combined QBR of 14, and is 0-3 in those games.

This weather could be the worst he’s ever seen, so it’s crucial for the Dolphins to make it easier for him.

Buffalo Bills – Win the Turnover Battle

In all three losses for the Bills this season, they have had more yards than their opponent. That’s the positive of their losses. On the flip side, they have also lost the turnover battle in each of those games. They have lost by 3 or less in each loss. If they win or tie the turnover battle, who knows, they could be undefeated right now.

With a top defense on the other side, turning the ball over might not seem like that big of a deal. But going into a game expected to have bad weather, turnovers could be more costly. Every possession will be crucial as both teams could struggle to move the ball down the field. If the Bills can take care of the ball, they should win this game. Especially considering the Bills are 3-0 in games where Josh Allen doesn’t have a turnover.

Final Thoughts

This could be an ugly offensive game, due to the weather. Miami will be looking to increase their chances at the AFC East. We could see them open up the playbook more than usual. On the other side, the Bills are looking to clinch a playoff berth and put themselves one win away from the division crown.

I expect a low scoring, close game that will come down to who can put the ball in the endzone last. Regardless of the outcome, the Bills vs Dolphins rivalry is clearly back.

Cole Beasley Back with the Buffalo Bills

Wide receiver Cole Beasley is back with the Buffalo Bills
Photo Credit: Adrian Kraus/AP

In March of 2022, the Buffalo Bills decided to cut wide receiver Cole Beasley after a tough season. Reports came out saying it was due to off-the-field issues and some of his worst statistics since joining the team.

He joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in September 2022, but that stint didn’t last long, as he played only two games before retiring. The 11-year wide out mentioned he wanted to become a “full-time dad and husband”, but that didn’t stand.

There was speculation that part of the reason he got released was due to his off-the-field issues. We don’t know for sure, but Beasley mentioned on Twitter in August 2022 that things changed and he won’t regret leaving. Well, being gone didn’t last long. A little over two months later, it has been announced that he is returning to Buffalo.

What Does Beasley Bring to the Table?

After a remarkable 2020 season with the Buffalo Bills, Cole Beasley had a bit of a down year last season. He recorded the same amount of receptions with 82, but his efficiency dropped significantly. Although he caught the same amount of passes in both years, his yards per reception went down from 11.8 to 8.5. His age started to show a bit. This caused his defense-adjusted yards above replacement (DYAR) down from 267, which ranked 12th, to -46, which ranked 88th among qualified wide receivers.

Beasley wasn’t as effective with the ball in his hands last season, but was still reliable when the ball was thrown his way. He ranked 10th in catch rate at 73% last season, which was down only 4% from 2020. He might not have the same burst he used to; however, he still has some of the best hands in the league.

How Cole Beasley Helps the Buffalo Bills

So what does this mean for the Bills this season? It means that Josh Allen has his safety valve back. Beasley was always Allen’s go-to on short yardage and third down situations. Buffalo has been lacking that reliable slot receiver this year. They rank 13th in the NFL in the red zone at 57.45%. It’s a big difference from 2021, when they were first in the NFL at 66.28%.

Beasley will help take pressure off of Allen and Stefon Diggs, being able to help space the field. Reports are that Allen asked the organization to bring back Beasley. This tells us that Allen knows the Bills needed good hands, as the team ranks in the top three in the league for dropped passes.

The Bills have now added two veteran wideouts (John Brown and Cole Beasley). We’ll see if they made the correct decision as they hope to lock down the #1 seed in the AFC.